Roller skate resilient hanger structure



Jan. 10, 1950 R. R. WARE, JR 2,494,019

ROLLER SKATE RESILIENT HANGER STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 5, 1945 a @g INVEN TOR.

jwewz z zmm J7? m wwmt/ Patented Jan. 10, 1950 5:.

U M TED TATES PATENT OF F l CE 2,494;019 I Ron-me SKATE RESI LI ENT HANGER STRUCTURE I I Robert R. Ware, Jr.,'-0hicago, Ill., assign'or-to Chi- -cag0 Roller Skate Company, Chicago, -Ill., -a

corporation of Arizona Application-January 5, 1945, Serial No. 571,391

5 Claims. (c1. 280-11.19)

The present invention relates to a roller skate, and more particularly to a resilient hanger structure therefor.

The present invention is directed to a roller skate of the type provided "withresiliently supported axle -mounting arranged to permit the axles to yield with respect to the body portion of the skate and to swivel about predetermined axes for shifting the wheels-with respect to the body of the skate to facilitate turning and control by the skater. To provide such control there is embodied in the-construction in accordance with the present invention a: yielding or cushion- :ing connection in the form of a cushioning member or buffer betweenthe body of the skate and the axle.

In constructions of this type it hasbeen found desirable to provide a resilient" cushioning member which has the characteristic of a firm resistance to compression when the axle is in normal relation relative to the body of the skate, and a predetermined degree of freedomof movement to other positions of the axle 'relativeto the body of the skate, which degree of freedom becomes less as the angular displacement'of the axle increases from its "normal position. In order to assure normal stability of the axle, 'acertain re.- sistance must be provided in thecushioning member. At the same time a-predetermined bending or flexing of the cushioning member is desirable to provide the yielding movement'of the axle to facilitate" turning and control by the skater. It has been found that a buffer of the cylindrical type commonly used heretofore does not provide the proper relation between the desired movements'of the skate axles relative to the body. In accordance-with the present invention a more-nearly perfect degree of movement is obtained by providing a generally cylindrical apertured cushioning member having the material thereofso distributed as to provide -a substantial resistance to an axial compressive force relative to themember and yet permit the necessary bending orflexing of the member when the axle is turned or displaced. This'is obtained by cutting away portions-of a generally cylindrical member by bores, grooves. cavities or recesses.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate the aforementioned difficulties and to provide an improved resilient hanger structure for roller skates.

Another object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved resilient hanger structure for roller skates havinga resilient-member constructed to provide a-maximum resistance to an '55 axial compressive force anda predeterminedresistance to bending orflexing.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently will 'become apparent by reference to the following 'desc'riptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roller' skate embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 shows'aportion of the rollerskate of Figure 1 partially in-cross-section along an axial longitudinal plane;

Figure 3 is a rear viewofthat. portion of-the roller. skate shown in Figure-2;

Figure 4 shows in perspective theprefer-red embodiment of a resilient cushioning member constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows-another modification of the invention shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 shows a further *modificationof the invention shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1, 2," and 3 of the drawing it'will be seen that there has been'showna roller skate having a bodyportion or. plate lll. of the type commonl permanently secured to the sole and heel of a skate shoe. The plate Ill-of course may be provided with suitable heel portions where the skate is to be of the temporary attachable type. Immediatelybeneath the plate In there is a reenforcement plate l2 to which is secured thestructure supporting the forward wheel or roller assemblies I4 and 16. Since both the forward and rear wheel assemblies embody the'same principles further description of the invention will be restricted to-the embodiment shown-in Figure 2.

The reenforcement plate I2 is positioned between the plate llland a bracket 18 and secured by suitable rivets 20. The bracket l8 adjacent its forward end is provided with a'socket 2| for re-- ceivin the ball end of anarm 22 whichsupports the forward axle 24 of the roller skate wheel assembly l4. To the rear of the axle 2 the bracket I8 is provided with an embossment :26 having a threadedaperture for receiving the threaded end of a stud bolt 28. Immediately beneath the embossment. 26 there is one end'of astrap 30 which together with a strap- 32 constitutes a truss construction interconnected with the bracket I8 by suitable rivets such as the rivet 20 and the rivet-34. The end of the strap 30 is provided with-a: suitable clamping surface against which there is positioned a jam nut 3%. Immediately beneath thejam nut-BG there is pro- 3 vided a cup '38 which is adapted to receive the upper end of a buffer or cushionin member 40. The lower end of the cushioning member 40 rests in'a flange 42 extending from the lower end of the arm 22 which supports the axle 24. The flange 42 is provided with a frusto-conical recess or aperture 44 so. as'to permit a certain degree of movement of the stud bolt 28 relative to the flange 42. Interposed between the stud bolt 28 and the flange 42 is a suitable washer 46. The bracket 22 is provided with laterally extending bracket, roller carrying means including an arm integral sleeves 48 which house the axle 24 which serves to properly space apart the wheels 50.

Figure 4 in perspective shows a buffer 40 which is provided with a central aperture 52 for receiving the bolt 28. The buffer 40 has a generally having a ball mounted in said socket bracket, and

a second bracket carrying a cushioning member interconnecting said body and said roller carrying means, said cushioning member comprising a fluted generall cylindrical member of resilient cylindrical shape which is provided with a plu- 7 rality f longitudinally peripherally arranged recesses 54. The recesses 54 extend from the bottom to within a short distance of the top where a cap-like portion 55 is provided for engagement with the cup 38. The cap-like portion 55 may be slightly larger than the remainder of the cylindrical shape so-as to frictionally engage the sides of the cup 38. By providing the grooves or recesses which extend longitudinally with respect to the axis of the member 40, suflicient material is so distributed as to provide the maximum resistance to an axial compressive force and yet to provide the desired flexibility with respect to a bending or flexing action which decreases as the angle of flexure increases. 1. By virtue of the frusto-conical recess 44 in the flange 42, it will be appreciated that a. turning motion by the skater produces a flexing action on the buifer 40 which on'one side of the skate is translated into a compressive action-in the proximity of the outer surface of the member 40 so that the compressive resistance of a member decreases the flexibility so as to limit in proper degree the angular displacement of the roller skate axle 24 relative to the body In.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is provided in Figure wherein a generally cylindrical cushioning member or buffer 56 is shown provided with an axial recess 58 to accommodate the bolt 28. Between the inner and outer peripheries of the member 56 a plurality of longitudinally extending bores or cavitiesl6ll are provided. These cavities 66 are selected in number and are spaced about the central cavity 58 so as to provide an action similarto the action provided in the construction shown in Figure 4.

' A still further modification is shown in Figure 6 which shows a buffer 62 provided with a central cavity 64 to accommodate the bolt 28. The outer surface of what would otherwise be a generally cylindrical member is recessed as at 66 by a curved recess or surface so that the diameter of the member 62 at its mid-portion is appreciably less than at either end. Thus again the member is formed so as to provide a maximum resistance to an axial compressive force and yet provide a predetermined lesser degree 0f resistance to bending or flexing to permit the axle 24- to be displaced from its normal position for the proper control by the skater. In each of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 the cushioning member or buffer provides normal vertical stabilit of the skate and yet permits or facilitates displacement of the skate axle for universal swiveling about a predetermined point adjacent the front or rear portion of the skate.

While certain preferred embodiments have rubber-like material arranged to provide firm resistance to axial compression and a predetermined degree of freedom to torsional and bending pressure to permit displacement of the roller carrying means from normal position.

2. A buffer member for interconnecting the body of a roller skate with roller carrying means comprising a generally cylindrical member of resilient rubber-like material having a central aperture for mounting said buffer on said skate, said buffer formed with external integral splines to provide a desired resistance to an axial compressive force while facilitating bending and twisting of the buffer.

3. In a roller skate, the combination comprising a body adapted to be secured to a shoe, roller carrying means each having an arm connected to said body to permit pivotal movement of said arm relative to said body, means interconnecting said roller carrying means and said body comprising a bracket carrying a cushion, and a cushioning member of resilient rubber-like material having a generally cylindrical shape with longitudinally extending portions thereof cut away intermediate the ends to facilitate bending and twisting to a desired degreewhile maintaining a desired vertical stability of the roller skate, said cushioning member having a cap-like top forming an annular end portion adjacent one end, said top having a cross sectional area greater than the cross sectional area of said member intermediate the ends adapted'to .frictionally engage the sides of a cup member.

4. 'A buffer for a roller skate construction comprising a generall cylindrical member havin a central aperture for mounting said bufier, said bufier being formed of a resilient rubber-like ma-. terial with longitudinal grooves or recesses to facilitate bending and twisting of said buifer while maintaining a desired resistance to an axial compressive force, said buffer adjacent one end having an annular end portion which is greater in crosssection'alarea than the cross sectional area of said member intermediate its ends adapted to frictio'nally engage acup member in a roller skate construction. I

5. A roller skate construction comprising a body provided adjacent the end thereof with a socket bracket, roller carrying means including an arm having a'ball mounted in said socket bracket, and a second bracket carrying' a cushionin member interconnecting said body and said roller carrying means, said cushioning member comprising a generally cylindrical member of resilient rubberlike material, said member having a plurality of channels extending longitudinally thereof and arranged to provide firm resistance to axial compression and'a predetermined-degree of freedom to torsional and bending pressure to permit displacement of the roller carrying means from normal position.

ROBERT R. WARE, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Kefuss Sept. 15, 1885 Wilkie Oct. 6, 1885 Number 

